- 10 hours ago
Ripped Wings, Rising Queen New Ep,32 SM
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🎥
Short filmTranscript
00:00In a spirit world ruled by divine creatures,
00:03angels and dragons stand at the highest order,
00:06two bloodlines bound by fate.
00:09As the highest-born angel princess,
00:12whoever I marry becomes the next dragon king.
00:15Last life, I chose Caspian, my childhood love.
00:19I gave him my angel energy to crown him.
00:23On his coronation day, he didn't propose.
00:26Instead, he drove a blade through my chest
00:29and handed my heart to the fake angel in his arms.
00:33If you hadn't forced me to marry you,
00:35Allura wouldn't have suffered so much!
00:38The only reason I played along
00:40was because I needed your angel core to turn her into an angel!
00:44I could have taken this throne without you!
00:47He ripped out my angel wings.
00:49He broke my sacred bones.
00:52He carved the angel core out of my chest with his own hands.
00:56I lay in a pool of my own blood.
00:59I watched him cradle my angel core like a gift.
01:02I watched him offer it to her.
01:04Everything went black.
01:06When I opened my eyes again, I was back.
01:10Back on the day of the choosing.
01:12Serafina, have you decided who will be your husband?
01:16The air went out of my lungs.
01:18My hands trembled.
01:20The memory of cold steel cutting through my chest was still fresh.
01:25Your Majesty, I...
01:27Before I could finish,
01:29Caspian dropped to his knees.
01:30Father, I know Serafina loves me.
01:33But the only one I love is Allura.
01:35If I betray her,
01:36let the heavens curse me into the pit for eternity!
01:38The whole court erupted.
01:40The Dragon King's face went white.
01:42Even the bored princes turned to stare.
01:45Everyone knew what I was.
01:47I represented the entire angel court.
01:50Whoever married me would be the next Dragon King.
01:53I know Serafina can't live without me.
01:56I'll take her as my second wife.
01:58I'll take care of her for the rest of her life.
02:01A second wife?
02:02He wanted to make me his comb.
02:04How dare you!
02:06That pretender Allura isn't fit to side an angel princess.
02:11A vow?
02:12I'll kill the girl Meryl myself.
02:14Then your vow breaks.
02:16Caspian's face flashed with hate.
02:18He couldn't believe his father would go this far.
02:21He looked at me with pure disgust.
02:24What are you waiting for?
02:26Didn't you want to marry me more than anything?
02:28He thought I was still that same girl who worshipped the ground he walked on.
02:32I'm handing you the chance.
02:34Take it.
02:36You've stolen so much from Allura already.
02:39She's the kind one, letting you share me.
02:42Stolen from Allura?
02:44Allura.
02:44A lesser fey.
02:46A false angel.
02:47Because she'd once been mistaken for me,
02:49she actually believed she could become one.
02:52When I was a baby, the war of angels broke out.
02:54The angel court lost every unhatched angel egg in the chaos.
02:58They picked up Allura, the wrong child.
03:00A hundred years passed before we could take our true forms.
03:03Only then did my parents realize their mistake.
03:06Or so they said.
03:07My mother was soft-hearted.
03:08She let Allura stay.
03:10Let her live like a princess.
03:12Ten years after they found me, the dragon king brought me to his palace.
03:15Because the dragon bloodline was dying.
03:17The first dragon line could barely produce heirs.
03:20Every new dragon king had to be chosen from the lesser serpents.
03:23Black serpents, snakes, mermen, lizards.
03:26Any of them could become dragon.
03:28If they survived the trial of the ancients.
03:30But marrying an angel princess guaranteed their survival.
03:34It purified their blood.
03:35Everyone else just knew the princess chose the next king.
03:38What Caspian just said wasn't rejection.
03:40It was a slap across the face of the entire angel court.
03:44If the angels turned on the dragons over this, the dragon bloodline would wither.
03:48The dragon king struck Caspian across the face.
03:51Hard.
03:51Seperphina, this boy is a fool.
03:54Do what you want with him.
03:55Just don't be angry.
03:57This was my chance.
03:59My chance to rewrite everything.
04:01Your majesty, I've decided who I want to marry.
04:05Every head in the hall turned.
04:07Caspian's too.
04:08His eyes were smug.
04:09He thought he'd won.
04:10He thought I'd still choose him despite everything.
04:13I walked forward.
04:14I took the dragon king's hand.
04:16I traced a name into his palm, slowly.
04:19Then I leaned close and spoke into his mind.
04:22I told him what I was going to do.
04:25The dragon king froze for a breath.
04:27If that's truly what you want, fine.
04:30I'll prepare the wedding.
04:31You, stay in your chambers until the ceremony.
04:34Don't make a spectacle of yourself again.
04:36A smug little smile tugged at Caspian's lips.
04:38He thought I'd caved.
04:40He thought I was still his.
04:42I didn't look at him.
04:43I looked at the corner of the hall instead.
04:45A young man stood there.
04:47Sharp brow.
04:48Still eyes.
04:49Small black serpent horns just starting to push through his hair.
04:53Nothing like Caspian, who murdered me from my past life.
04:57Cailin.
04:58The black serpent no one noticed.
05:00The one who'd gathered my bones under the ashwood tree after I died.
05:04The one who'd loved me in silence for an entire lifetime.
05:08This time, I would choose differently.
05:11The dragon king dismissed the princes.
05:14I stayed back for a private word.
05:16When I finally stepped out of the hall, Caspian was waiting.
05:20And she was with him.
05:22The moment he saw me, Caspian grabbed her hand and pulled her forward.
05:28Sister, thank you for giving us your blessing.
05:31She gently wiped her eyes.
05:33Seeing her, Caspian's expressions softened.
05:36Why are you thanking her?
05:38I only want you.
05:39She should thank you for being so generous.
05:42If you had refused back then, I would never have married her as my second wife.
05:46His voice was as sweet as honey to her.
05:49Alara suffered because of you.
05:51You could at least give her some relics.
05:53Consider it compensation.
05:55I stared at them without saying a word.
05:58In my past life, I believed that story.
06:01That kind couple raised me.
06:03They sacrificed themselves to protect me from wild beasts.
06:12Until she told me the truth with a smile.
06:14I led that beast there.
06:16I killed them just to get rid of you.
06:20Then, Caspian cleared his throat.
06:22Serafina, I need to talk to you.
06:26What?
06:27You heard what father said today.
06:29Alara's magic is weak.
06:31Once we get married, people will bully her.
06:33I almost laughed out.
06:35You gave her every relic I gave you.
06:36Who would dare to bully her?
06:38Compared to true power, relics are nothing.
06:41I'd like to borrow your angel core.
06:46My mind is completely blank.
06:49In my previous life, this man dug out my core from my chest while I was screaming.
06:57Hatred almost drowned me.
06:59I kept my voice flat.
07:01Do you know what it means to lose an angel core?
07:04I've lost my magic.
07:06I might die.
07:08We're getting married.
07:09Stop being so petty about this.
07:11Leave it to Alara and I guarantee you'll be fine.
07:15If you refuse.
07:17I stared at him.
07:18The pressure rolling off me makes me hear him.
07:21Alara's face lost in color.
07:23She could hardly stand.
07:24Even Caspian began to look uneasy.
07:26At this moment...
07:27Princess Serafina.
07:29Alara, the king has sent me to fetch you.
07:32The black-horned boy from the hall.
07:34Karen.
07:35He has not yet ascended.
07:39Wait!
07:41What could a lowly crawler possibly have to say to you?
07:45If you have time to worry about this, you might have was worried about the trial in five days.
07:49I turned to Karen.
07:52Did the king tell you everything?
07:54He looked up at me.
07:55His eyes revealed a kind of ferocity and a kind of paranoia.
07:59He knelt on one knee.
08:01Your highness, do not worry.
08:03I, Karen, swear before the ancient gods.
08:06If I ever betray you, may I die more wretched than dust.
08:10Thunder rumbled across the sky.
08:12Then it disappeared.
08:14I unfastened the pearl pendant tied around my waist.
08:17I tied it to his belt with my own hands.
08:20I believe in you.
08:21A scream came from the yard.
08:23Princess!
08:24They're cutting down your tree!
08:27My head snapped up.
08:29I ran to the courtyard.
08:30The ashwood tree I'd planted a hundred years ago was on the ground, severed at the roots.
08:42My mother gave me that tree the day I left the angel court.
08:47The ashwood is the angel's home.
08:50Wherever you go, when you see this tree, you are home.
08:56I turned to Caspian, my eyes burning.
08:59What gave you the right to cut down my tree?
09:02He didn't even look up.
09:04It's just a tree.
09:05I had it cut down.
09:06What of it?
09:08Alara likes flame lilies.
09:10From now on, you plant flame lilies here.
09:13Nothing else.
09:14Just a tree.
09:15A hundred years of care meant nothing to him.
09:18This is my palace.
09:20I plant what I want.
09:22Can't you even give her a space of her own?
09:25His eyes went cold with venom.
09:26What's yours is mine.
09:28I'm just planning ahead.
09:31If you keep pushing me, Serafina, I might not marry you at all.
09:36You can kneel and beg.
09:37I won't even look at you.
09:39He waited for panic.
09:40He saw nothing on my face, so his voice turned sweet again.
09:43I'm saying this for your own good.
09:46Be obedient.
09:48I'll even favor you first.
09:50You can give me my firstborn.
09:53That was the last of my patience.
09:55I shoved him out the door.
09:57Don't flatter yourself, Casparen.
10:00You will never be my husband.
10:03Not in this life.
10:05He laughed.
10:06He didn't believe a word.
10:07Who else would you marry?
10:08The Dragon King said he's preparing our wedding himself.
10:11I watched his arrogant face and smiled inside.
10:14He didn't know the wedding was still his.
10:16Just to a different bride.
10:17A pretender in white.
10:18Five days passed.
10:20The whole court gathered at the crucible.
10:24To my surprise, Alara came too.
10:26Every eye in the gathering was on the two of them.
10:28Whispers followed them everywhere.
10:30Caspian spotted me and strode over.
10:34Serafina.
10:35I'm counting on you today.
10:37His voice actually softened.
10:38Now that Alara is by my side, I'll take care of you too.
10:42Don't worry.
10:43I said nothing.
10:44He didn't care.
10:46His proud gaze swept over the other nervous candidates.
10:50Then his eyes locked.
10:52He stormed toward Caelan.
10:54His face had never been so furious.
11:02Why is the Angel Concert's pendant on your belt?
11:05His eyes burned into the pearl at Caelan's waist.
11:09Caspian's stare could have flayed skin.
11:11Caelan didn't blink.
11:12He met Caspian's glare with ice.
11:15That only made Caspian angrier.
11:17He was about to lash out when Alara grabbed his arm.
11:20Caspian, it can't be real.
11:22It has to be a fake.
11:23A copy.
11:24The trial is about to start.
11:26Trash like him probably won't survive a single bolt.
11:29Don't waste your breath.
11:31Caspian's face relaxed.
11:32He nodded and squeezed her hand.
11:35I watched them.
11:36Amused.
11:37Moments later, the Dragon King arrived.
11:39He opened the cursible.
11:41One by one, the candidates stepped in.
11:43Most of them could barely survive one bolt.
11:46The best managed three.
11:47Disappointment flickered across the Dragon King's face.
11:50Then it was Caspian's turn.
11:52He walked in confident, chest out.
11:54Alara followed right behind him.
11:56The whole gathering stared.
11:58The crucible was deadly.
11:59A lesser fey like Alara would be turned to ash by the first strike.
12:04Don't be afraid.
12:05Don't you trust my power?
12:07Caspian's voice went gentle.
12:09Besides, Seraphina is here.
12:11She won't watch me fail.
12:14Wait for me to marry you.
12:15Alara's eyes darkened.
12:17Then, she tilted her head back and spat out her own angel core.
12:22The small stone hovered in the air.
12:25Her face went gray in an instant.
12:28Streaks of white appeared at her temples.
12:30Alara!
12:30What are you doing?
12:33Alara smiled, pale as death.
12:35We agreed you'd just stay beside me.
12:37Giving up your angel core could ruin your cultivation forever.
12:41Caspian, I know my power is nothing next to an angel princess.
12:45But I want to do something for you.
12:47Let my angel core help you survive the trial.
12:49His eyes filled with tears.
12:51The other dragon kin exchanged glances.
12:54What's the point of that little fae stone?
12:55It'll shatter the second the first bolt hits.
12:58She must really love him.
13:00Brave of her.
13:01If he fails, her stone shatters first.
13:03Without it, she's dead within the hour.
13:04She's only daring because she knows Princess Serafina will save him.
13:08The angel court has the rebirth route.
13:10They whispered, their eyes full of envy.
13:12I watched, cold.
13:14This hadn't happened in my last life.
13:16I was curious to see where it went.
13:17Caspian stood in the center of the crucible, radiant with excitement.
13:22The golden water rippled around him.
13:25He lifted his arms and summoned...
13:28Not one.
13:30Not three.
13:32All nine of the nine bolts at once.
13:36The sky above the crucible went black.
13:38Purple gold lightning coiled in the clouds.
13:41Every mouth fell open.
13:43Has he gone mad?
13:44Summoning all nine at once?
13:46No one in history has ever survived that.
13:48Someone in the crowd.
13:49Even with the angel princess's help, she'll be crippled.
13:52She'll lose her angel core.
13:53Even Allara stared, frozen.
13:56She hadn't expected this either.
13:58I looked up at the clouds.
14:00Cold.
14:00Yes, Caspian.
14:02This is exactly what you did to me in the last life.
14:06This time, let me watch you try it without me.
14:09A crack of thunder split the air.
14:12The lightning was coiled tight, ready to fall.
14:16Seraphia!
14:17What are you waiting for?
14:18Help me through the trial.
14:19I didn't move.
14:21He thought I hadn't heard him.
14:23He took a step forward.
14:24Seraphia, do you still want to marry me or not?
14:26You're here to help me ascend.
14:27I stood there, still as stone.
14:29Why aren't you moving?
14:31His face, always so distant, always so smug, finally cracked with fear.
14:37You'd really watch me die?
14:39How strange.
14:40The great Caspian, begging.
14:42I remembered the marriage from my last life.
14:45He was always cold to me.
14:48Always distant.
14:49I used to think that was just his nature.
14:51The tenderness in his eyes for her.
14:53He'd rubbed her reddened hand and complained about my family.
14:56The angel court is cruel.
14:57It wasn't your fault you took Seraphina's place.
14:59How can they treat you like this?
15:00I'd stood there, silent, furious.
15:02Because Alara had been caught trying to steal the court's thousand-year elixir.
15:05She'd wanted it for herself.
15:07My parents only spared her because she wept and begged.
15:09If she hadn't, she'd have been reduced to ash by angel fire.
15:13Caspian knew.
15:14He'd even called her greedy to my face that day.
15:17Now he was blaming me.
15:18I'd wanted to storm out and confront him.
15:20Then the pain hit my stomach.
15:21Like fire tearing through my organs.
15:24I rolled on the floor screaming.
15:25I looked up.
15:26Caspian, sword in hand.
15:29Eyes like a stranger's.
15:31Blood sprayed.
15:32He cut the angel core out of me.
15:34The memory alone made me want to grind him to dust.
15:37Above the crucible, the lightning finished gathering.
15:41Caspric finally saw something wrong in my face.
15:44He panicked.
15:46Seraphina, you...
15:47The first bolt fell.
15:50Purple gold lightning crashed down on him with a force that shook the crucible.
15:54Because he'd summoned all nine at once, they stacked.
15:57The first bolt was many times stronger than a normal candidate's.
16:01Caspian was too shaken to raise his defenses in time.
16:03He screamed.
16:04Blood erupted from his mouth.
16:06No!
16:09Alara's face twisted in horror.
16:11In a single heartbeat, her small angel core shattered in the air.
16:14All her spiritual energy poured out of her body.
16:17Her face turned corpse white.
16:19Blood streaked down her chin.
16:21Then came the horror.
16:23Her young, delicate face began to shrivel.
16:26Wrinkles carved themselves into her skin.
16:29Every dragon noble in the gathering stared.
16:31Mockery.
16:32Disgust.
16:33Morbid fascination.
16:35Alara clutched her face with both hands.
16:37No!
16:38Don't look at me!
16:40Please don't look at me!
16:42Caspian!
16:43Caspian, save me!
16:45Caspian couldn't save himself.
16:46That one bolt had shattered his core foundation.
16:49He collapsed to his knees.
16:50Bloody.
16:51Ruined.
16:51Seraphina, save me.
16:53Save me!
16:54I'm your future husband!
16:56How can you watch me die?
16:58I lifted one foot.
16:59I walked toward him.
17:02Caspian's face lit up with wild relief.
17:04But I didn't stop at him.
17:06I walked past him.
17:07I took Kaylin's hand.
17:09Who said you were my husband?
17:11I already told the Dragon King.
17:14I chose Kaylin.
17:15The angel pendant is proof.
17:17The gathering went dead silent.
17:19Then exploded.
17:21No one had expected it.
17:22No one expected Kaylin.
17:24Kaylin was the least favorite of all the candidates.
17:28Quiet.
17:29Serious.
17:32He'd only ever watched from a distance.
17:34If our eyes met, his ears turned red and he looked away.
17:38If not for the love I'd seen in his eyes in my last life.
17:42If not for the way he'd gathered my bones under the ashwood tree after I died.
17:47Many men wanted me.
17:48Most of them only wanted the throne that came with me.
17:52Only Kaylin was different.
17:53I looked back at Caspian.
17:55In my last life, he'd only dared to call down three bulls.
17:59And even three left him broken.
18:02But he hadn't been satisfied with just marrying into the throne.
18:05He wanted to prove his strength.
18:07So he'd sent a silent plea to me in the last life.
18:11I'd used the angel rank.
18:13I'd shielded him with my angel sword.
18:16The damage to my core took me 200 years to heal.
18:21I'd carried the illness for the rest of my life.
18:23But he became the first Dragon King to take all nine at once.
18:28Worshipped.
18:29Exalted.
18:30This life, he'd grown greedy.
18:32Knowing what my body could do for him, he summoned all nine without a second thought.
18:38He never cared what it would cost me.
18:40He never cared that I'd be sick for centuries.
18:43From start to finish, Caspian only ever cared about himself.
18:48A pity, really.
18:53A massive purple gold bolt came screaming down.
18:57Caspian's face twisted in terror.
18:59Too late.
19:00The lightning struck with a roar that split the sky.
19:03It hammered into the crucible.
19:05Everyone stared at the smoking water.
19:08The Dragon King finally sighed and waved a hand.
19:11The thundering clouds scattered.
19:15I looked down into the crucible.
19:17He was disgraced and broken.
19:20They handled him like a sack of wet laundry.
19:23Some didn't even hide their contempt.
19:25Caspian had someone to pull him out.
19:28Alara wasn't so lucky.
19:30She'd given him her angel core.
19:32Now that it was shattered, she aged by the second.
19:36In one breath, she was a wrinkled old crone.
19:40Tears streamed down her withered face.
19:43She tried to speak.
19:44In the chaos, no one listened.
19:47This time, Caspian had finally learned.
19:50He didn't beg me for anything.
19:52He just stared at me.
19:54Dazed.
19:56Broken.
19:57The Dragon King glanced at me.
19:59I nodded back.
20:00Casual.
20:01I was the one who'd asked him to save Caspian.
20:04Caspian caught the nod.
20:06His eyes lit up.
20:07He stumbled toward me, then dropped to his knees with a dull thud.
20:11Serafina.
20:13I was wrong.
20:14His face was nothing but regret.
20:16Serafina, please.
20:17Forgive me.
20:18I only want you.
20:19I'll love you with all my heart.
20:21I'll never look at anyone else.
20:23I watched him hold his breath.
20:25I felt a quiet, sharp joy.
20:27I kicked him in the chest.
20:29Caspian's eyes went round with shock.
20:32Caspian.
20:32The day you carved the angel core out of my body.
20:36Did you ever imagine this?
20:38His pupils contracted to pinpoints.
20:40His whole body went limp.
20:43He stared at me, open-mouthed.
20:45In that moment, I knew he'd been reborn, too.
20:49I didn't look at him again.
20:50I took Caelan's hand and walked toward the crucible.
20:55Come.
20:56I'll go in with you.
20:59But he didn't move.
21:02What's wrong?
21:03Every eye in the gathering landed on us.
21:06Even the Dragon King looked confused.
21:08Caspian's face broke into vicious delight.
21:11He doesn't want you!
21:13Serafina, did you really think everyone loves you?
21:16Caelan looked down at me.
21:17His eyes were unbearably gentle.
21:19Princess, I want to try it alone.
21:22I froze.
21:24He squeezed my hand.
21:26The trial is no small thing.
21:28I know your power is great.
21:29But you're an angel.
21:31If the lightning hurts you, you won't be able to channel it away.
21:34I don't want your foundation damaged for me.
21:36I looked into his serious eyes.
21:38Something in my chest stuttered.
21:40Before I could answer, he let go of my hand.
21:42The golden water swirled around his ankles as he walked in.
21:46Caelan sat cross-legged in the center.
21:48His thin shirt soaked through.
21:51The outline of his lean muscles pressed against the wet fabric.
21:55The thunder began to gather.
21:57The crowd watched, expectant.
22:00Then their faces fell.
22:01Only one bolt?
22:03That's all?
22:04The next second, the lightning fell like a diving dragon.
22:09It crashed into the crucible with a sound like the sky cracking open.
22:14Everyone was stunned.
22:15This single bolt was more terrifying than anyone else's third,
22:19which meant his power ran deeper than all of theirs.
22:23I watched the scoffers' faces twist with shock.
22:26I couldn't help the small smile that curved my mouth.
22:29In my last life, Caelan had taken five bolts alone,
22:32One by one, the bolts fell.
22:34He took the second, the third, the fourth, the fifth.
22:37I thought he'd stand up now.
22:38He didn't.
22:40Caelan?
22:41His body was covered in burns.
22:43Blood at the corners of his mouth.
22:45He looked like he was at his limit.
22:47He smiled at me.
22:48I can do it.
22:50The next bolt crashed down.
22:53I held my breath.
22:54Seconds passed.
22:55First, the lightning cleared.
22:57He was still sitting there.
23:00He'd surpassed his past life.
23:02He'd taken six bolts alone.
23:05He rose, swaying on his feet.
23:07He bowed to the dragon king.
23:08The king's face lit up with satisfaction.
23:10I stepped forward.
23:12Wait.
23:13His pupils tightened.
23:14The clouds gathered again.
23:16Be careful.
23:17I reached for his hand.
23:19Don't be afraid.
23:20This day would be written into dragon history.
23:23Caelan took six bolts alone.
23:24With my help, he took the remaining three.
23:27He became a true dragon.
23:29Because I only shielded him from three, I took no damage at all.
23:33I watched him rise into the sky.
23:35A massive, obsidian-scaled dragon circling the clouds.
23:40For the first time in two lifetimes, my heart felt warm.
23:43Caelan became the new dragon king.
23:48The old king granted him relics and treasures.
23:51That morning, I was drinking tea.
23:54A commotion outside.
23:56My sparrow maid went to look.
23:58She came back, huffing, indignant.
24:01Princess!
24:02It's Kazmik!
24:03And he brought Alara with him!
24:04How does he even have the face to come here?
24:06After everything he did to you when you loved him,
24:09knowing she hated you, and still choosing her!
24:11I smiled.
24:13A man's love isn't always really love.
24:15I was stronger than him.
24:17He felt like he was always in my shadow.
24:20Alara was weak and pitiful.
24:22She clung to him like ivy.
24:24A man like that always likes the vine that leans on him.
24:28But this life, he'd lost the throne.
24:30His power was gone.
24:31Without the reality of the crown to balance his love,
24:34I walked out calmly.
24:37Caspian stood outside, wrapped in a black cloak.
24:40Alara trailed behind him, wrinkled and trembling.
24:43When he saw me frown, he quickly pulled the cloak off.
24:47My eyes narrowed.
24:48Along his neck and one side of his face,
24:51small gold scales were pushing through his skin.
24:54He was a thousand-year golden carp that had leapt the dragon gate.
24:59Now, he couldn't even hold his human form.
25:02I haven't congratulated the happy couple yet.
25:05His face spasmed.
25:08He shot Alara a look of pure loathing.
25:12She and I are not a couple!
25:14Serafina!
25:15She tricked me!
25:17She planted a lover's curse on me!
25:19I raised an eyebrow, so that was the angle.
25:22He saw the amusement on my face and visibly relaxed.
25:26I love you.
25:27If that witch hadn't cursed me, I never would have hurt you.
25:31Serafina, you have to believe me!
25:33Caspin, do you really think I don't know how a lover's curse works?
25:37To control someone, the caster has to be stronger.
25:41You're a dragon.
25:42Even without two trials, you're a dragon.
25:44A lesser fey like her?
25:46What could she possibly use to control you?
25:49Yes!
25:50Her magic is weaker, but she cut off a lock of your hair!
25:53She used it to redirect my feelings for you onto her!
25:56He was desperate now, shoving every shred of blame onto Alara.
26:01He thought I still loved him.
26:03He thought if he sweet-talked me, I'd take the bait.
26:08He was wrong.
26:14He stared at me in disbelief.
26:16And if that's true, do you think it erases what you did?
26:21Caspian, let me make this clear.
26:24Whether you were forced or willing, it doesn't matter to me now.
26:27You are chained to Alara for the rest of this life.
26:31You will rot in a ditch together.
26:33Forever!
26:34He lunged for me.
26:35Before I could step back, a massive pressure slammed him down.
26:39Caelan walked in, his face like winter.
26:41Under the pressure of a true dragon, Caspian bent at the spine.
26:45Then lower.
26:46Then crashed to his knees.
26:50Get out.
26:51They were hauled away.
26:53Caelan released the pressure.
26:54He took my hand.
26:55Gentle.
26:56I nodded and smiled up at him.
26:58Are you alright?
26:59He watched my face carefully.
27:02Then his eyes went shy.
27:04I...
27:05I have something for you.
27:07Curious, I followed him outside.
27:09A few dozen steps in, I stopped breathing.
27:12An ash wood tree.
27:14Twice as tall as a man.
27:16Green leaves, thick and gleaming.
27:19Caelan's voice was soft.
27:21I went to the angel court.
27:22Myself, to bring it.
27:25I'm sorry I couldn't grow it taller in time.
27:27Serafina, give me a little longer.
27:29I kissed him before he could finish.
27:33His pupils blew wide.
27:35He froze.
27:36Then he caught up to what was happening,
27:38and wrapped his arms around me, tight.
27:42Under the young ash wood, we shared our first kiss.
27:47I love it.
27:50Three days later, the wedding.
27:52Gold light rained down from the sky.
27:54The dragon and angel courts gathered in the palace.
27:56Flame lilies and dragon scale shimmer wove through the air.
28:00It was a sight that had not been seen in 10,000 years.
28:05I wore a ceremonial robe.
28:07Angels stitched in thread finer than hair.
28:10The nine angel crown rested on my head.
28:12My train trailed across steps paled with spirit pearl.
28:16Every step, Kaylin's hand steadied me.
28:18He wore the black robe of the dragon king.
28:21Silver scales sewn at the collar.
28:23His hand never let go of mine.
28:25His palm was burning hot.
28:27Every cold corner of my past life thawed in that heat.
28:31When the rites were complete,
28:33the gods of the four realms bowed to their new queen.
28:36I stood at Kaylin's side.
28:38I looked at the tenderness in his eyes,
28:40meant only for me, and I understood.
28:42Every horror in my past life
28:44had only been the price of this.
28:47That night, when the guests were gone,
28:49only the two of us remained in the royal chamber.
28:51Kaylin unpinned the heavy crown from my hair,
28:54clumsy and careful.
28:55His fingers brushed the loose strands at my temple.
28:58The tips of his ears were red.
29:00Seraphina.
29:01Even his voice trembled.
29:03From today on,
29:04I have been the dragon king.
29:06You are my ween.
29:07The four realms.
29:09I with you, you'll cry it.
29:11Every twint of this long dough,
29:12we bow to you.
29:13I looked up into his clear, honest eyes.
29:16I rose on my toes
29:17and kissed the corner of his mouth.
29:19He went still.
29:20Then his arm came gently around my waist,
29:23like I might shatter.
29:25He whispered against my neck.
29:27I know you suffered in the last life.
29:29From now on,
29:30you will never shed another tear.
29:32You will never be wronged again.
29:39The palace had already been remade.
29:41Every wall and garden was shaped to feel like home.
29:45He'd not only brought a sapling from the angel court,
29:48he'd poured his own dragon energy into it,
29:51day and night,
29:52until it towered overhead in six months.
29:55He planted ashwood forests around the palace,
29:57stretching for miles.
29:58When the wind blew,
30:00the leaves rustled.
30:01It sounded like the angel court itself.
30:03An angel nests only in the ashwood.
30:06I want you to have a branch to land on wherever you go.
30:10He planted flame lilies too,
30:11my favorite.
30:12In spring, they bloomed like fire.
30:15My little sparrow maid laughed every day.
30:18Princess,
30:18the dragon king has turned the whole palace in the angel court.
30:22There isn't a more cherished queen in any of the four realms.
30:25As dragon king,
30:26Kaylin had the affairs of four realms on his shoulders.
30:29He never let me wake alone.
30:31Every morning,
30:31he took the most urgent matters first,
30:34then returned to eat with me.
30:35I loved the Osmanthus cakes and lotus seed soup from the human world.
30:39He sent officials to live there full time to buy the freshest ingredients.
30:44The palace cooks prepared everything to my exact taste.
30:47Every sweetness,
30:48every simmer,
30:49every simmer,
30:49precise.
30:54Some nights,
30:55I jolted awake from nightmares of the last life.
30:58He was always there before I was fully awake.
31:00He'd pull me into his chest.
31:02He'd pat my back.
31:03He'd hum old angel court lullabies under his breath until I slept again.
31:09He never slept those nights.
31:11He never asked about the past.
31:13He just quietly erased anything in the palace that might remind me.
31:16Records of Caspian in the dragon archives?
31:19Sealed.
31:19Attendants who had served Caspian?
31:21Reassigned somewhere I'd never see them.
31:24One afternoon,
31:25I sat under the ashwood tree,
31:27smoothing my angel feathers.
31:29The pain of having them plucked out in the last life was long gone.
31:33Now my wings were brighter than ever,
31:35crimson and gold,
31:37light rippling at every tip.
31:40Kalen came up behind me.
31:41He draped a cloak of nine-tailed fox fur over my shoulders.
31:45It's cold.
31:46Don't sit out too long.
31:49Today's work is finished.
31:51Let me take you home to the angel court.
31:53Your parents miss you.
31:55When we reached the angel court,
31:56my mother and father were already waiting at the gates.
31:59The moment my mother saw us walking side by side,
32:01My Sarah,
32:02you've finally come out of the dark.
32:05I'm sorry we didn't see through Caspian before.
32:08I'm sorry you suffered.
32:09I shook my head and looked at Kalen.
32:13With Kalen,
32:14I'll never be wronged again.
32:15In the main hall,
32:16Kalen bowed deeply to the elders of the angel court.
32:19He swore his oath,
32:20to love only me,
32:22to protect me forever.
32:23The entire court was moved.
32:26My father gripped his hand and sighed.
32:29Our angel princess has married the right man after all.
32:32On the way back,
32:34Kalen walked me through the clouds.
32:35The sea of mist rolled below.
32:37The sky blazed with sunset.
32:39Seraphina,
32:40in the last life.
32:42I saw you.
32:43When Caspian carved out your angel core,
32:45before your soul dispersed,
32:47I used every drop of cultivation I had to gather your bones.
32:50I buried them under the ashwood grove.
32:52I was just a nobody.
32:54A black serpent no one noticed.
32:56I watched you love the wrong man.
32:59I watched you suffer.
33:01I couldn't do anything.
33:03I could only stand in the shadows and keep watch.
33:07I swore then,
33:08if I had another life,
33:10I would stand beside you.
33:12I would never let you suffer like that again.
33:14So it had been him.
33:16The faint,
33:16protective presence I'd sensed on the edge of death.
33:19His love hadn't begun in this life.
33:21It had been there for a whole lifetime before.
33:23I leaned into his chest.
33:25Tears fell without a sound.
33:26This time,
33:28not pain,
33:29just warmth.
33:32Back at the palace,
33:33the dragon rite of 500 years was beginning.
33:36Every dragon lord of the four seas came to pay tribute.
33:39On the ceremonial platform,
33:40Caelan took my hand.
33:41He lifted his voice so every realm could hear it.
33:44My queen,
33:45Seraphina of the angel court,
33:47is without equal.
33:49From this day forward,
33:50to see your queen is to see your king.
33:53To defy her is treason.
33:55Every dragon lord dropped to their knees.
33:58The sound of their bowing rolled across the sky.
34:00I stood at Caelan's side
34:02and understood something at last.
34:04Real love wasn't one-sided sacrifice.
34:06It wasn't manipulation and bargaining.
34:08It was holding someone so close to your heart
34:11that you gave them everything and meant it.
34:13After the rite,
34:14I dragged Caelan down to the human world for a walk.
34:18It was late spring.
34:20Cherry blossoms had fallen.
34:21Ashwood was budding.
34:23The streets were full of life.
34:24We walked hand in hand,
34:26pretending to be an ordinary couple.
34:27Merchants called out their wares.
34:29Children laughed.
34:30We tasted everything from the street stalls.
34:34I bought a skewer of candied grapes.
34:36The sweet sour burst on my tongue.
34:38I held it up to Caelan's lips.
34:39He bit down,
34:40eyes curving into a smile.
34:42The tenderness in his gaze
34:43could have spilled over.
34:46We passed a tea garden.
34:48A storyteller was telling the old tale of the dragon courts.
34:52There once was a dragon prince named Kazabur.
34:54He loved the wrong fae,
34:56abandoned the angel princess,
34:58failed his trial,
34:59lost his power,
35:00and in the end was murdered by the very pretender he chose.
35:03Not even a bone left behind.
35:05He brought it on himself.
35:07The audience clucked and sighed.
35:09I listened.
35:10Not a ripple in me.
35:11I only held Caelan's hand tighter.
35:14All that hate.
35:15All that pain.
35:16It had burned out the day Caspian died.
35:19He couldn't touch me anymore.
35:20Caelan noticed my mood shift.
35:22He patted the back of my hand.
35:24It's all past now.
35:26I'm here.
35:28No one will hurt you again.
35:30I nodded.
35:31It's all past.
35:32The news had reached us weeks ago.
35:34After the wedding,
35:35every other dragon had gone to the waters they were bound to protect.
35:39Caspian had gone too.
35:41Because his trial had ruined him,
35:43he was given only a small ditch to rule.
35:46Ilara hadn't accepted it.
35:48She'd tried to poison him.
35:50To take his dragon pearl.
35:51No one knew how a fae with no power had done it.
35:55They only knew Caspian was found dead.
35:58Long dead.
35:58His pearl shattered.
36:00To prevent panic,
36:01the neighboring dragons had burned the body to ash.
36:05Allara herself had died in a nearby ditch.
36:07Her body had been found days later,
36:09rotting.
36:10When I heard,
36:10I'd smiled.
36:12Caspian.
36:13He never learned how dangerous a woman could be.
36:16I remembered the relics he'd given Allara.
36:18One of them was a dragon binding chain.
36:20The day they left my palace,
36:21I took all the relics back.
36:23Except for that one.
36:24I left it with her on purpose.
36:26What are you smiling about?
36:27Caelan's voice was soft at my ear.
36:29I just remembered something.
36:30They say the plum floussums are blooming.
36:32Shall we go see them next?
36:33Anywhere you want.
36:34He smiled.
36:35Back at the palace,
36:36the ashwood grove was scattered with petals.
36:38Caelan drew something from his sleeve.
36:40A pearl pendant.
36:41Carved from the deep sea pearl of the dragon treasures.
36:44A fine angel etched along its length.
36:46My name carved on the back.
36:48He tied it at my waist himself.
36:49I saw it in the human world.
36:51I knew it belonged to you.
36:52His fingertips languid on the pearl.
36:54Seraphina.
36:55I don't need to be the ruler of the three realms.
36:57I don't need an endless lifetime.
36:58I only need you.
36:59The angel and the ashwood.
37:00A quiet life.
37:01Together.
37:02Never apart.
37:03I threw my arms around him.
37:06I buried my face in his chest.
37:08Days passed in blissful peace.
37:10Then one evening,
37:11a messenger arrived.
37:12He brought news.
37:14Your majesty,
37:14the body of the Fae Ilara has been examined.
37:16There are irregularities.
37:18What kind of irregularities?
37:19Her remains showed signs of demon corruption.
37:21Black energy.
37:22Belief she may not have been what she claimed.
37:23I felt a chill run down my spine.
37:26Where is the body now?
37:27Burned, your majesty.
37:29But we preserved certain...
37:31artifacts.
37:32Inside, a single black feather.
37:34Not white gold like an angel's.
37:36Not the dull brown of a Fae's.
37:38Pure black.
37:39Edged with crimson.
37:40A demon's feather.
37:42Caelan looked at me, confused.
37:44I stared at the feather.
37:45My mind raced back through every encounter
37:47with Alara.
37:48The way she'd survived things
37:49that should have killed her.
37:50The darkness I'd sometimes glimpsed in her eyes.
37:53Caelan, I need to visit my father.
37:56Now?
37:57Now.
37:58We flew to the angel court
38:00under cover of night.
38:01He looked up, startled.
38:03Seraphina?
38:04What's wrong?
38:05I held up the black feather.
38:07His face went white.
38:08Father, tell me the truth about Alara.
38:14Sit down, both of you.
38:19During the War of Gods,
38:20I was captured by the demon forces.
38:23The demon queen.
38:24We were both young.
38:25Both prisoners of circumstances.
38:27It happened once.
38:28Just once.
38:29I thought nothing would come of it.
38:31But then she sent word.
38:32She was pregnant.
38:34I couldn't bring a half-demon child
38:36to the angel court.
38:37They would have killed her on sight.
38:38So I arranged for her
38:40to be raised in the mortal realm
38:41by the couple who later found you.
38:44When you were lost in the war,
38:45I panicked.
38:46I thought if I brought Alana back,
38:48gave her the life she deserved.
38:49But when we found you,
38:51you are my true heir.
38:53Born of your mother and me.
38:55Pure angel blood.
38:56Alara was a mistake.
38:58A secret that should have stayed buried.
39:01You let mother believe
39:02Alara was just a switched child.
39:04Did mother know?
39:05No.
39:06I never told her.
39:07The shame...
39:07Father, Alara destroyed my life
39:09because of your choices.
39:10She hated me
39:11because you chose me over her.
39:12Because you threw her aside
39:13the moment I came back.
39:14She became a monster
39:15because you made her feel like one.
39:17I won't tell mother.
39:18Your secret dies with Alara.
39:19But know this.
39:20Both Alara and I suffered
39:22because of what you did.
39:23You created the hate
39:25that nearly killed me.
39:27Seraphiana.
39:30Outside,
39:31Kalen waited for me.
39:32He took one look at my face
39:34and pulled me into his arms.
39:36What happened?
39:37I told him everything.
39:39When I finished,
39:40he held me tighter.
39:42Your father's sins
39:43are not yours to carry.
39:44Alara made her choices.
39:46She could have been your sister.
39:47Instead,
39:48she chose to be your enemy.
39:49She also had angel blood.
39:51She could have chosen light.
39:52She chose darkness.
39:53I leaned into his warmth.
39:55I keep thinking,
39:56what if things had been different?
39:57What if my father
39:58had claimed her from the start?
39:59Would she have been different?
40:01Would she have been my sister
40:02instead of my enemy?
40:03You can't change the past.
40:04You can only choose
40:04how you move forward.
40:05And Seraphina,
40:06you chose compassion
40:07even when she gave you none.
40:08You chose love
40:09even after she took everything.
40:10That's what makes you different from her.
40:11That's what makes you
40:12worthy of this happiness.
40:13I closed my eyes.
40:14Let his words sink in.
40:16Let the weight of the truth settle.
40:17Alara was my half-sister.
40:19Born of my father's shame.
40:20Raised in secrecy and resentment.
40:22And in the end,
40:23consumed by the darkness
40:24she'd carried all along.
40:25But I was not her.
40:26I am Seraphina.
40:28I would not let her story define mine.
40:31Outside,
40:31Kalen waited for me.
40:33He took one look at my face
40:35and pulled me into his arms.
40:37What happened?
40:38I told him everything.
40:40When I finished,
40:41he held me tighter.
40:43Your father's sins
40:44are not yours to carry.
40:45Alara made her choices.
40:46She could have been your sister.
40:48Instead,
40:48she chose to be your enemy.
40:49She also had angel blood.
40:51She could have chosen light.
40:53She chose darkness.
40:54I leaned into his warmth.
40:55I keep thinking,
40:56what if things had been different?
40:58What if my father had claimed her from the start?
41:00Would she have been different?
41:01Would she have been my sister instead of my enemy?
41:03You can't change the past.
41:04You can only choose how you move forward.
41:06And Seraphina,
41:06you chose compassion even when she gave you none.
41:08You chose love even after she took everything.
41:10That's what makes you different from her.
41:12That's what makes you worthy of this happiness.
41:13I closed my eyes.
41:15Let his words sink in.
41:16Let the weight of the truth settle.
41:18Alara was my half-sister.
41:19Born of my father's shame.
41:21Raised in secrecy and resentment.
41:23And in the end,
41:24consumed by the darkness she'd carried all along.
41:26But I was not her.
41:27I am Seraphina.
41:28I would not let her story define mine.
41:30Dragonhala's dawn broke.
41:31The ashwood trees were bathed in golden light.
41:34Flame limmy petals drifted on the morning breeze.
41:36Everything was exactly as Kaleon had promised.
41:38A home.
41:39A sanctuary.
41:40A place where I was loved.
41:41Do you regret learning the truth?
41:43I thought about it.
41:44Understanding why she hated me doesn't excuse what she did.
41:47But it helps me let go of the questions.
41:49Now I can truly move forward.
41:51He smiled and took my hand.
41:52Then let's move forward.
41:54Together.
41:54That afternoon, we walked through the gardens.
41:57The dragon court was hosting a celebration of the spring harvest.
41:59Music drifted from the great hall.
42:01Lanterns were being hung in the trees.
42:03Everything was vibrant.
42:04Alive.
42:04Full of joy.
42:06Such a stark contrast to my last life.
42:08Where I died alone and betrayed.
42:10Where darkness had won.
42:11But this life?
42:13This life was different.
42:15Kaleon.
42:17For what?
42:18For seeing me.
42:18For loving me.
42:20For giving me a home.
42:21For being the man Caspian never could be.
42:23His ears turned red.
42:25He squeezed my hand.
42:26Serafina, loving you is not a burden.
42:28It's the greatest honor of my life.
42:29Every day I wake up grateful that you chose me.
42:32A nobody black serpent who had nothing to offer but devotion.
42:35I stopped walking and turned to face him.
42:37You had everything to offer.
42:38Loyalty.
42:39Kindness.
42:40True love.
42:41Those are worth more than all the power in the four realms.
42:43He pulled me close.
42:44We stood there in the garden, holding each other.
42:47And for the first time since my rebirth, I felt completely at peace.
42:50We returned to the dragon palace as dawn broke.
42:53The ashwood trees were bathed in golden light.
42:55Flame lace petals drifted on the morning breeze.
42:57Everything was exactly as Kaleon had promised.
42:59A home.
43:00A sanctuary.
43:01A place where I was loved.
43:03Serafina, do you regret learning the truth?
43:04I thought about it.
43:05No, I said finally.
43:07I needed to know.
43:08Not for her sake.
43:09For mine.
43:10Understanding why she hated me doesn't excuse what she did.
43:12But it helps me let go of the questions.
43:14Now I can truly move forward.
43:15He smiled and took my hand.
43:17Then let's move forward.
43:18Together.
43:18That afternoon, we walked through the gardens.
43:20The palace was alive with preparation.
43:22The dragon court was hosting a celebration of the spring harvest.
43:25Music drifted from the great hall.
43:27Lanterns were being hung in the trees.
43:28Everything was vibrant.
43:30Alive.
43:30Full of joy.
43:31Such a stark contrast to my last life.
43:34Where I died alone and betrayed.
43:35Where darkness had won.
43:38But this life.
43:39This life was different.
43:41Kaleon, thank you.
43:42For what?
43:43For seeing me.
43:44For loving me.
43:44For giving me a home.
43:46For being the man Caspiak never could be.
43:48His ears turned red.
43:49He squeezed my hand.
43:51Serafina, loving you is not a burden.
43:52It's the greatest honor of my life.
43:54Every day I wake up grateful that you chose me.
43:56A nobody black serpent who had nothing to offer but devotion.
43:59I stopped walking.
44:00You had everything to offer.
44:01Loyalty.
44:02Kindness.
44:03True love.
44:03Those are worth more than all the power in the four realms.
44:06He pulled me close.
44:07We stood there in the garden.
44:09Holding each other.
44:10And for the first time since my rebirth.
44:12I felt completely at peace.
44:15Night fell.
44:17Moonlight poured across the ashwood grove.
44:20Kaleon bent down and kissed me.
44:23My forehead.
44:24My eyelids.
44:26The corner of my mouth.
44:28Tender.
44:29Worshipful.
44:30I closed my eyes and let the love soak into every scar.
44:33In his gentle kisses.
44:35All the old wounds finally closed.
44:37My sparrow maid stood outside the chamber with a cup of lotus heart tea.
44:40She saw us inside.
44:41Leaning into each other.
44:42She smiled and quietly backed away.
44:44The ashwood leaves whispered in the wind.
44:46Flame limb petals drifted down and settled in my hair.
44:48On his shoulders.
44:49The softest kind of witness.
44:50In all the long years that followed.
44:52The four realms knew the same truth.
44:54Dragon and angel.
44:55Flying together.
44:56Never to part.
44:56I learned to carry the truth of Alara's origins without letting it weigh me down.
44:59She was my half-sister.
45:01Born of my father's mistake.
45:03But her choices were her own.
45:05The demon blood gave her power.
45:07But it was her heart that chose darkness.
45:09And I.
45:10I chose light.
45:11I chose love.
45:13I chose Kaleon.
45:15Every old regret of the cherry blossoms falling was answered by the angel nesting in the ashwood.
45:19Every wound from my past life was healed by the devotion of my present.
45:22I.
45:23Seraphina of the angel court.
45:24Had finally found the life that belonged to me.
45:26Not defined by betrayal or blood secrets.
45:28Not haunted by the sister who hated me.
45:30Just me and Kaleon.
45:31The ashwood and the flame lithers.
45:33The dragon and the angel.
45:36Peace everlasting.
45:37Happiness year after year.
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